"Running back Ben Tate (groin), cornerback Kareem Jackson (knee) and running back Derrick Ward (ankle, shoulder) didn't practice Wednesday. The coaches are hoping Tate will be ready to back up Arian Foster against Oakland.

"Derrick is day-to-day," coach Gary Kubiak said. "Ben's doing pretty well, so we're hopeful there as we move forward. Kareem did some individual (drills). He was brief in practice, and then we shut him down."

If Jackson can't start, Jason Allen will step in for the second straight game.

"Toward the end of the week, hopefully, they're both healthy," Kubiak said. "I think Jason's obviously earned the right to play more. Who's going to start the game? Let me watch practice this week and see. I consider them both starters. That's the way they're playing.""